The incumbent serves as an agricultural marketing specialist within the hemp program and is responsible for implementing and administering all aspects of the AMS hemp program regulations with responsibility for policy development and revision, licensing, and compliance for the Hemp Branch.

Duties

The duties described are for the full-performance level. At developmental grade levels, assignments will be of more limited scope, performed with less independence and limited complexity. The duties may include, but are not limited to: Interviews farmers and agricultural production staff to understand if they are maintaining compliance with all applicable regulations. Creates, manages, updates and uses regulatory compliance forms and highly technical program data to audit and inspect hemp licensees. Maintains information systems and databases to collect, organize, and distribute confidential and sensitive data related to hemp production and its industry stakeholders. Enforces compliance with provisions of laws and regulations designed to regulate the agricultural production of hemp. Coordinates and supports the application process for hemp production licensing.

Requirements

• You must be a US Citizen or US National.
• Individuals who were born male after 12/31/1959 must be Selective Service registered or exempt.
• Subject to satisfactory adjudication of background investigation and/or fingerprint check.
• Successful completion of one year probationary period, unless previously served.
• Direct Deposit: Per Public Law 104-134 all Federal employees are required to have federal payments made by direct deposit to their financial institution.
• Successfully pass the E-Verify employment verification check. To learn more about E-Verify, including your rights and responsibilities, visit https://www.e-verify.gov/.
• Prior to an official offer, selectee will be required to sign a memorandum of understanding (MOU) acknowledging/accepting that geographic mobility is a condition of employment. Failure to sign the MOU will result in withdrawal of the job offer.

Qualifications

Applicants must meet all qualifications and eligibility requirements by the closing date of the announcement, including time-in-grade restrictions, specialized experience and/or education, as defined below. TIME-IN-GRADE: Current federal employees applying for a promotion opportunity must meet time-in-grade (TIG) requirement of 52 weeks of service at the next lower grade level in the normal line of progression for the position being filled. FOR THE GS-09 LEVEL: Applicants must have one year of specialized experience (equivalent to the GS-07 level) that may have been obtained in the private or public (local, county, state, Federal) sectors which demonstrates: Experience communicating orally to establish and maintain effective working relationships with a diverse range of stakeholders. Experience managing projects with multiple steps, dependencies and participants. Experience using electronic systems to track, manage and report on the progress of the projects. Experience researching, analyzing and synthesizing information to independently draft and review regulatory and policy documents clearly and concisely. Experience sequencing multi-step tasks to achieve an intended goal or outcome. OR Education: master's degree in a field of study such as business administration, agriculture, agriculture economics, agricultural business, accounting or equivalent graduate degree or 2 full years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to such a degree or LL.B. or J.D., if related. Equivalent combinations of education and experience are qualifying for this grade level. FOR THE GS-11 LEVEL: Applicants must have one year of specialized experience (equivalent to the GS-09 level) that may have been obtained in the private or public (local, county, state, Federal) sectors which demonstrates: Experience serving as a technician for the on-site evaluation of agricultural production areas. Experience conducting analysis of existing and proposed legislation impacting hemp production and interprets requirements into presentations and procedural documents. Independent experience reviewing State and Tribal Plans using program forms and checklists. Experience managing and resolving a variety of conventional problems and situations. Experience composing written briefing materials containing thorough research on topics. OR Education: successful completion of a Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree in a field of study such as business administration, agriculture, agriculture economics, agricultural business, accounting or equivalent graduate degree or 3 full years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to such a degree or LL.B. or J.D., if related. Equivalent combinations of education and experience are qualifying for this grade level. FOR THE GS-12 LEVEL: Applicants must have one year of specialized experience (equivalent to the GS-11 level) that may have been obtained in the private or public (local, county, state, Federal) sectors which demonstrates: Independent experience leading, establishing and maintaining effective working relationships with a diverse range of stakeholders. Independent experience in agricultural functions and practices to analyze the requirements of statutory provisions relating to the Hemp program. Independent experience negotiating with management to reach consensus on novel approaches to policy issues or recommendations to change procedures. Independent experience conducting regulatory inspections at agricultural production sites, including farms and greenhouses. Independent experience serving as a lead for the on-site evaluation of agricultural production areas. NOTE: There is no education substitution at this grade level. TRANSCRIPTS are required if: You are qualifying for the position based on education. You are qualifying for this position based on a combination of experience and education. This education must have been successfully completed and obtained from an accredited school, college, or university. COMBINATION OF EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE AT THE GS-09 GRADE LEVEL: Applicants may have combinations of successfully completed education and specialized experience to meet total qualification requirements. The total percentages must equal at least 100 percent to qualify for that grade level. Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional, philanthropic, religious, spiritual, community, student, social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.

Education

Please see above for education qualification requirement information.

Contacts

• Address Agricultural Marketing Service USDA APHIS MRPBS 250 Marquette Avenue, Suite 410 Minneapolis, MN 55401 US
• Name: APHIS Human Resources
• Phone: 612-336-3227
• Email: [email protected]